Cowmen and Rustlers | Page 7

and that the wolves were too far from the river to
discover them until beyond reach.
If they could once place themselves below the animals they need not
fear, for they could readily distance them. Should the speed of the
pursuers become dangerous, a sharp turn or change in the course would
throw them off and give the fugitives an advantage that would last for a
long time. But they dreaded the appearance of a whole pack of the
brutes in front, thus shutting off their line of flight homeward. True, in
that case they could turn about and flee up stream, but the risk of
encountering others attracted by the cries would be great, and perhaps
leave their only recourse to a flight into the woods.
The thoughts of each turned to the nearest hunter's cabin, although it
was several miles distant, and probably beyond reach.
It was strange that, having emitted so many signals, the wolves should
become suddenly quiescent.
No one spoke, but as they glided swiftly forward they peered along the
gleaming surface in search of that which they dreaded to see.
They approached one of those long, sweeping bends to which allusion
has been made. Jennie had already proven that neither of her
companions could outspeed her. They were doing their utmost, but she
easily held her own with less effort than they showed.
In truth, she was slightly in advance as they began following the curve
of the river, her head, like each of the others, bent forward, to see
whither they were going.
"They are there!"
It was she who uttered the exclamation which sent a thrill through both.
They asked for no explanation, for none was needed, and an instant
later they were at her side, she slightly slackening her pace.
The sight, while alarming, was not all that Fred and Monteith

anticipated.
Three or four gaunt animals were trotting along the ice near the left
shore, but no others were visible.
"Keep in the middle while I take a turn that way," said Monteith,
sheering in the direction named.
Brother and sister did not read the meaning of this course, nor could
they detect its wisdom. But they obeyed without question.
Young Sterry hoped by making what might look like an attack upon the
famishing beasts to scare them off for a few minutes, during which the
three, and especially Jennie, could reach a point below them. With the
brutes thus thrown in the rear, it might be said the danger would be
over.
Now, as every one knows, the wolf is a sneak, and generally will run
from a child if it presents a bold front; but the animal becomes very
dangerous when pressed by hunger.
Monteith Sterry's reception was altogether different from what he
anticipated. When the half-dozen wolves saw him speeding toward
them they stopped their trotting, and, like the bear, looked around, as
not understanding what it meant.
"Confound them! Why don't they take to the woods?" he muttered. He
had removed the mitten from his right hand, which grasped his revolver.
"This isn't according to Hoyle."
He shied a little to the right, with a view of preventing a collision with
the creatures, and the moment he was close enough, let fly with one
chamber at the nearest.
Accidentally he nipped the wolf, which emitted a yelping bark, leaped
several feet in the air, then limped into the woods, as he had learned
enough of the interesting stranger.

That was just what the youth had hoped to do, and the success of his
scheme would have been perfect had the others imitated their wounded
companion, but they did not.
Without paying any attention to Sterry they broke into a gallop toward
the middle of the river, their course such as to place them either in
advance of Fred and Jennie Whitney or to bring all together.
Greatly alarmed for his friends, Monteith did an unnecessary thing by
shouting (for the couple could not fail to see their danger), and fired
two more barrels of his pistol. Neither shot took effect, nor did the
wolves give them any heed, but they and the skaters converged with
perilous swiftness.
Forgetful of his own danger, Monteith shouted again:
"Look out! Why don't you change your course?"
Neither replied, but it was absurd for the panic-stricken youth to
suppose they did not understand the situation and were shaping their
movements accordingly.
Having observed the wolves as soon as Sterry, they never lost sight of
them for a second. Every action was watched, and the curious
proceeding noted the instant made.
Fred and Jennie continued gliding straight forward, as if they saw them
not, and a collision appeared inevitable. At the moment when
Monteith's heart stood still, the couple turned almost at right